Related News. 12 prisoners convicted of abortion pardoned His Majesty King Gyanendra has -- upon recommendation from the council of ministers-- pardoned 12 women prisoners convicted of abortion, on the eve of the 15th Constitution Day on Sunday According to the department of prison management, a total of 15 women are serving life sentence in various jails in Nepal on charge of carrying out abortion. Abortion on medical grounds, among others, has been legalised in Nepal since 2002. The government would withdraw cases against the remaining three women too, reports said. Similarly, a total of 196 inmates from different prisons were released on Sunday from different prisons on the occasion of the constitution day, officials said. nepalnews.com pd Nov 08 04